Chapter Text
Eli’s muscles burned as they kicked wildly against the current that tugged at their feet. Their lungs filled with icy water, adding to the weight that prevented them from surfacing. They rapidly exhausted, and could do nothing except surrender themselves to the depths.
Drenched in a cold sweat and gasping for breath, Eli awoke. The smell of damp rock lingered in the air of the pitch black room. The elf attempted to raise their hands to their face to wipe away the tears, only for their wrists to jolt against something that felt like thick rope.
‘The fuck…?’ Eli winced as they discovered that their ankles had also been secured.
“Be grateful.” A voice cut through the silence like a blade.
“Viago?” Eli’s throat scratched as they spoke.
“Next time, it could be fatal.”
Eli struggled against the restraints in an attempt to locate the Talon’s voice. “What are you talking about?”
“Have you learnt nothing?”
Eli’s foggy mind struggled to understand the question, let alone answer it. As they waited for more information, their tears dried on their cheeks, leaving behind an itch that was impossible to scratch.
“Think back. What mistake did you make?” Viago asked, in a tone that sent shivers down Eli’s spine.
“I…” They wheezed. “I was at the market?”
“Are you asking me, or telling me?”
“Telling you. I was at the market.”
“And what mistake did you make, at the market?”
Eli closed their eyes and forcibly slowed their breathing. “I was tailing someone. I… Stopped at a stall to avoid detection.”
“I’m still waiting to hear the mistake.”
“I felt dizzy, I stopped in a sidestreet, I woke up here.” They matched Viago’s low growl as they spoke through gritted teeth.
“Go back to the stall.”
Eli cursed under their breath and balled their fingers into tight fists.
Their hood sheltered their face from the rain, and their polished but well-worn boots splashed in puddles that dotted the streets. Their target stopped so they did too, greeting a nearby market stall owner with a friendly smile. He gestured enthusiastically to a crate of figs, so they picked one up to give it a light squeeze and bounce it in their palm. Out of the corner of their eye, they saw their target move on. They apologised for wasting the seller’s time and let the fig roll back into its crate before setting off. The symptoms of poisoning struck before they could make it to the end of the street. Nausea, dizziness, dry mouth. Then darkness.
Eli replayed the memory twice before the realisation struck. They groaned and tapped the back of their head hard against the table. “I picked up the fig with my ungloved hand. You coated it in a transdermal toxin.”
Viago nodded, not that Eli could see. “Good. Do better next time.”
‘Eli: death by fruit. Unlikely, Viago- you’re just a hardass.’ They stretched their fingers as they tested the tightness of the binds that scratched at their skin. “Wait…” They trailed in an attempt to stall for time. “How did you know I would pick up that fig in particular?”
“I didn’t.” Viago chuckled. “You owe me for the whole crate.”
Eli heard a door scrape across the stone floor, so craned their neck to get a brief look at their surroundings. Light trickled into the room, stretching Viago’s shadow behind him.
“And let me guess- I have everything I need to get myself out of this.”
“Oh, excellent. You have learned something after all.” Viago hummed. “We’re joining some of Teia’s House for dinner. Two hours, do not be late.”
Darkness fell upon Eli as the door locked with a heavy clunk.
“You fucker.”
Eli’s mood soured at the thought of eating something after the ordeal of escaping Viago’s makeshift capture scenario. They pushed the door to the main hall harder than necessary, ignoring the first table of Crows to slump opposite the Fifth Talon and aim a scowl directly at him.
“Is it no longer customary to wash before dinner?” Viago asked, hiding a smirk behind his hand as he stroked his beard.
Dusted with soot and spattered with blood -both their own and otherwise- Eli rubbed at their tender wrists. “You may be aware that I had a rough day.” They replied curtly.
“What did you do?” Teia turned on Viago almost immediately.
“A de Riva’s training is never over.” The pair said together in a matching tone.
Teia rolled her eyes at them both. “And what was the lesson this time?”
“Viago is a-” Eli cut themselves short at the sight of Viago’s ‘tread carefully’ face. “Wonderful teacher who cares deeply for his students.”
Teia let out a laugh that made Viago’s jaw clench. “Are we talking about the same Vi?” She teased, laughing a little louder when he swatted away her outstretched hand.
Eli stood up and bowed to each Talon before flashing Teia a grin. “I stopped by the kitchen on my way in.” They said casually. They then departed without another word, leaving Viago to contemplate if he was still hungry.